When was the last time you got a full night’s sleep? We understand that the holiday season can be quite busy for you and your family. However, it is still important to not only get quality sleep, but to also pay attention to warning signs.
According to the World Health Organization, there is something called the “sleep loss epidemic.” With two-thirds of adults not getting the recommended eight hours of sleep a night, there has been a global rise in sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea. In other words, those who have the capacity to sleep well simply just aren’t sleeping enough.
In fact, if you look at Japan, the average time spent sleeping was only six hours and 22 minutes. And the UK is close with only an average of six hours and 49 minutes of sleep a night. That’s only 27 more minutes than Japan gets. Ultimately, almost one in two people are suffering from a lack of sleep these days.
Why aren’t we sleeping?
It comes from our commutes to and from work, as well as our long work hours. And with the increase in connectivity to all things work via mobile devices and laptops, it might mean that we never truly step away from the office. In other words, you are always connected and thinking about work.
To add to that, we also are in a constant need to work on relationships outside of work with our friends and family. From holiday events to home cooked meals with your spouse and even social media conversations, we are always trying to stay in contact. We remain drained. And you might find that you are staring at screen after screen, wondering why you can’t fall asleep anymore.
By embracing the need for wellness and taking care of ourselves, it is important to take a step away from the device and get some sleep. However, if you are suffering from sleep apnea, it is even more important to receive proper treatment so you can finally get a good night’s rest.
Contact Dr. Mayoor Patel at Craniofacial Pain & Dental Sleep Center of Georgia for more information on sleep apnea and how you can finally get a good night’s sleep.